In the world of Philippine entertainment, controversy and comedy often go hand in hand, but few events have stirred as much public debate as Vice Ganda’s recent ‘jetski holiday’ skit. On August 8, 2025, during the much-anticipated ‘Super Divas’ concert at the Araneta Coliseum with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, the comedian and television host delivered a performance that went beyond entertainment—landing squarely in the heart of political discourse and sparking a nationwide conversation about humor, power, and the limits of satire.
The skit, a playful parody of the viral Jet2 Holiday advertisement, quickly became more than just a punchline. Vice Ganda’s rendition swapped out the travel company for a pointed reference to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s infamous 2016 campaign promise: to ride a jetski to the West Philippine Sea and plant the Philippine flag in defiance of Chinese intrusion. This campaign pledge, made during the heat of the presidential debates, had become a symbol of Duterte’s tough-talking stance on Philippine sovereignty—one that he later admitted was a “pure campaign joke.”
“Speaking truth to power is most potent when it makes people laugh. This means the message really got through. Laughter is not only the best medicine, it is also the best wake-up call,” remarked Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña on August 11, 2025, as reported by INQUIRER.net. Cendaña’s statement captured the dual nature of Vice Ganda’s performance: a comedic act that, for many, carried a deeper political message. “And if ever you are declared persona non grata, that’s okay. Because in our hearts, Meme, you are a wonderful person,” he added, using the affectionate nickname for the comedian.
But not everyone was laughing. The skit did more than poke fun at a broken campaign promise. Vice Ganda upped the ante by referencing Duterte’s current incarceration at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The joke riffed: “Nothing beats a jet ski holiday, right now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea via jet ski. Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and a free trip to The Hague by the ICC. Promo applies to DDS (diehard Duterte supporters) only. ‘Pinklawans’ and ‘BBMs’ are prohibited.” The reference to “DDS” (Duterte’s diehard supporters), “Pinklawans” (supporters of former Vice President Leni Robredo), and “BBMs” (supporters of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) left little doubt that the skit was as much a political commentary as a comedic performance.
The backlash was swift and intense. Calls emerged to declare Vice Ganda persona non grata in Davao City, the Duterte family’s political stronghold. According to Philnews.ph, a British citizen and known Duterte supporter, Malcolm Conlan, publicly slammed the comedian, calling the joke inappropriate. Social media buzzed with criticism from Duterte’s base, and even some Facebook pages petitioned the Davao City Government to make the comedian unwelcome in the city.
The impact of the controversy was measurable. Vice Ganda’s Facebook page, which had just celebrated reaching 20 million followers days earlier, saw its numbers drop to 19 million on August 11, 2025. A post on Reddit noted that more than 30,000 followers had unfollowed the comedian’s page. The timing was no coincidence—many attributed the mass unfollowing to the backlash from Duterte supporters in the wake of the skit. Still, Vice Ganda’s supporters remained steadfast, insisting that the drop in numbers would not affect his status as one of the Philippines’ most influential entertainment personalities.
“Long live, Meme Vice! Thank you for making us laugh while opening our minds and standing firm on your beliefs,” Cendaña added, echoing the sentiments of many who saw the skit as a courageous act of free speech. For others, however, the performance crossed a line, especially with the reference to Duterte’s ongoing legal troubles.
The former president’s legal woes are no laughing matter. Duterte has been detained in The Hague since March 12, 2025, after being stopped at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and handed over to the International Criminal Police Organization. The ICC’s arrest order relates to allegations of crimes against humanity during Duterte’s controversial war on drugs—a campaign that, according to official figures, led to over 6,250 deaths in legitimate police operations. Human rights groups, however, estimate the true number of fatalities to be between 12,000 and 30,000, with many disputing police claims that victims fought back. The case of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, killed by police in 2017 despite not being the original target of an operation, remains a tragic emblem of the campaign’s excesses.
Vice Ganda’s skit, then, was more than a jab at a political figure—it was a commentary on a national trauma, delivered through the lens of satire. The comedian’s decision to weave together the jetski promise, Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea, and the ICC arrest order was a bold move that resonated with audiences who have grown weary of political doublespeak. Yet, for Duterte’s supporters, the performance was deeply offensive, prompting calls for official censure and sparking a social media firestorm.
It’s worth noting that Duterte himself, in May 2021, admitted that his jetski promise was never meant to be taken seriously. “That was during election season. And then there was that joke, my bravado, which was purely political in nature, and if you believe it, I would say you are really stupid,” Duterte said, as quoted by INQUIRER.net. In the same breath, he denied ever making such a promise about the West Philippine Sea during the 2016 campaign—a claim that stands in stark contrast to his public statements during the presidential debates.
As of August 11, 2025, Vice Ganda has not issued a public statement addressing the controversy or the drop in his social media following. His most recent Facebook posts have continued to attract negative reactions, but the comedian, known for his resilience and quick wit, has weathered storms before. His supporters remain vocal, insisting that the backlash is a temporary setback in a career defined by both humor and courage.
For many Filipinos, the episode has reignited debates about the role of satire in society, the boundaries of free speech, and the enduring power of laughter to challenge authority. As Cendaña put it, “Laughter is not only the best medicine, it is also the best wake-up call.” In a country where politics and entertainment are often inseparable, Vice Ganda’s skit has proven that a well-timed joke can be both a mirror and a megaphone—reflecting uncomfortable truths and amplifying voices that refuse to be silenced.
The controversy continues to unfold, but one thing is clear: in the Philippines, the intersection of comedy and politics remains as lively—and as contentious—as ever.
